It could easily win the eternally-proposed 12 Hours of Sebrings, unless someone brought a first-gen coupe converted to AWD, and with an Eclipse's turbo mill. Even so, still People's Choice.
I got reply from Mr. Aaltonen, who was driving the car during 1965 Sebring 12 Hours. as the reply is in finnish I will do rough translation.
I asked "Do you have any special memories from the car or the race in particular?"
and He Replied: "Nothing really special, but it did work very well, though was weakly powered. I do recal even leading the overal race during night."
He also commented that he had seen the car few years ago in Nürburgring, though it was back then painted in different color, but no color ruins the car how it works. But nevertheless he has no information about if the car is really authentic or not.
I was at that Sebring race in 1965. During the torrential rains this little machine was lapping the track fastest. Faster than the Fords, Ferraris and winning Chaparral.
I can't afford it but I so want this car!!
@scroggzilla raids again: I sent the email to Mr. Aaltonen... He is still rather busy gentleman, so I am not sure if I get any reply, but there's hope.
I was honored to Met him in 2008 Festival of Speed in person. One of the most remarkable moments in my life.
Nice find. A bit out of my price range, but cool to see.
It's a sweet little ride, but with the bidding over $170k when I looked, that history had better be legit.
What would this be worth without the provenance? I'd wager that it would be significantly less. Personally, I'd rather have one that I wouldn't feel obligated to keep as a museum piece.
So it's a Sebring, and the badging indicates it may also be a PT cruiser. This is one of those cars where you have to be careful when you write the listing.
My grandfather told me about this once. (He was from Norwich, NY, which isn't that far from Binghamton.) This is the first time I've heard BARC mentioned since he died. Thank you for writing this fascinating article.
I was really hoping. My uncle ran the 1957 Sebring in an Arnolt-Bristol, but I did not see him. I'm sending this link to my dad though. He knows more than I what Uncle Leonard looked like in 1957.
@CafeRacer1200: Looks like he came 5th in class, 30th overall, and importantly, was classified as running at the finish. Not a bad showing considering that the winning car in his class was a Ferrari driven by a guy named Ginther.
(I'm making it my mission to find a picture of your Uncle tonight.)
I once saw a Porsche very similar to one of those in the main picture as I was exiting a Starbucks. It had the same color and was numbered similarly with a round sign, it looked like it was in mint condition. Anyway, it had the loudest engine I've ever heard on a street car. It was so mean that some guy said "Savage!" I even felt surprised that the young driver stopped to let me cross the aisle. I wonder if it was extremely modified, or if it was the original sound of that car.
Hey Scroggzilla, can you find the link to that cool video on the Juan Manuel Fangio fansite on FB? Since they changed it around, I can't find anything, even you!
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I asked "Do you have any special memories from the car or the race in particular?"
and He Replied: "Nothing really special, but it did work very well, though was weakly powered. I do recal even leading the overal race during night."
He also commented that he had seen the car few years ago in Nürburgring, though it was back then painted in different color, but no color ruins the car how it works. But nevertheless he has no information about if the car is really authentic or not.
09/23/09
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I can't afford it but I so want this car!!
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anyways, if it was, I do have a email contact to Rauno and I could try to contact him and ask what he recalls from the car and race...
09/23/09
It is the very same car, which Aaltonen co-piloted in 1965 12 hour race... Now this gets really interesting. :) gonna send some emails tonight.
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I was honored to Met him in 2008 Festival of Speed in person. One of the most remarkable moments in my life.
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feel free to promote it so that it's not hidden by default. :)
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It's a sweet little ride, but with the bidding over $170k when I looked, that history had better be legit.
What would this be worth without the provenance? I'd wager that it would be significantly less. Personally, I'd rather have one that I wouldn't feel obligated to keep as a museum piece.
09/23/09
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(I'm making it my mission to find a picture of your Uncle tonight.)
[www.teamdan.com]
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[IMG][i166.photobucket.com]]
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[i166.photobucket.com]
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These are some unique LeMons Cars, just in time for the New England race in July... so bring a trailer:
How about a Camouflaged VW Cabriolet?

[worcester.craigslist.org]
Or how about something unique? Like a 1960 Ford Thunderbird? Sure it doesn't run, but drop a ford 351 in it, and go!

[hartford.craigslist.org]
How about a Running 1969 Pontiac LeMans?

[hartford.craigslist.org]
Here's a real treat, a Running (though not very well at the moment) 1950 Dodge Coronet?

[westernmass.craigslist.org]
If the Coronet doesn't light your fire, how about an honest to god 1951 Kaiser for only $500?

[westernmass.craigslist.org]
Something that's just a bit different, a 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente, straight six, 3 Speed, just right!

[westernmass.craigslist.org]
How about a Supercharged 1995 Buick Riviera? There shouldn't be that many problems with it!

[westernmass.craigslist.org]
03/29/09